DLA, UK Ministry of Defence sign statement to increase strategic logistics partnership

The Defense Logistics Agency and the United Kingdom National Armaments Logistics and Support signed a new agreement to guide future cooperative logistics efforts between the two organizations.

DLA Director Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly and Royal Navy Vice Admiral Andy Kyte, chief of Defense Logistics and Support for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, signed the combined statement of intent Sept. 15 at the McNamara Headquarters Complex during a break in the Worldwide Logistics Symposium.

The agreement furthers a non-legally binding strategic partnership between the DLA and the UK's NA-L&S arm to boost logistics. The partnership focuses on five lines of effort: digital integration, supply chain resilience, global logistics posture, standardization and interchangeability, and operational and industrial cooperation.

All activities remain subject to the participants' respective national laws, regulations, and funding availability.

The first agreement was signed in 2024.

"I think the level of maturity and detail and granularity in this latest statement of intent reflects the maturing relationship we've got between our two organizations," Kyte said.

The new agreement states it will deepen the strategic partnership in logistics and supply chain management. Also, the participants will commit to building a more resilient, integrated and effective joint logistics enterprise in an increasingly complex and contested global security environment.

Simerly, who is retiring in October, came on board to DLA as its director soon after the first agreement was signed.

"I've watched for the past three years the progress we made, which has been significant," he said at the signing with Kyte. "I think, as you and I identified mid-stride over these past three years, we now have the opportunity to accelerate and expand our objectives."

The agreement also represents the growth of the relationship between the two organizations, he continued.

It's a reflection of the enduring nature of our relationships, not only between our two nations and our departments - but more importantly - our two organizations," he said.